EREDIVISIE EUROPA LEAGUE PLAYOFF REPORT: 26th May 2013

FC Utrecht survived a second-leg fightback to wrap up a 3-2 aggregate win over FC Twente and clinch a berth in UEFA Europa League competition next season

After defeating Twente 2-0 last week Utrecht were in pole position to take the European spot ahead of Sunday’s matrch.

But two wonder goals in two minutes gave Utrecht a fright as Twente looked to scrape through. Dusan Tadic on 34 minutes and Nacer Chadli (36) hit two long range beauties giving goalkeeper Robin Ruiter no chance of saving.

But Frenchman Edouard Duplan, also on target in midweek, hit the crucial goal a minute after the restart for Utrecht after hyet another howler from Twente goalie Sander Boschker. The goalkeepers mis-kicked clearance was failed to get under control from Felipe Gutierrez, Duplan robbed the Chilean and slotted home in the empty goal.

Utrecht’s prize is a place in the second qualifying round for next season’s UEFA Europa League.